Ohio’s 2018 District Report Cards Incomplete, Misleading

Columbus, OH — September 13, 2018 | The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) has released its 2018 Ohio School District Report Cards; but, the more than 600+ district reports cards are misleading.

“Missing are the critical elements that thoroughly evaluate a district’s performance,” said Becky Higgins, president of the Ohio Education Association.

“Unfortunately, as an evaluation of student readiness and academic achievement levels, unfortunately, this tool is too simplistic.”

Higgins added, “socioeconomic factors remain a consistent and reliable predictor of an array educational outcomes…. Unfortunately, as an evaluation of student readiness and academic achievement levels, this tool is too simplistic.”

“Reforms include ending the arbitrary districtwide letter grades and replacing them with different, but more realistic performance indicators,” emphasized Higgins.

Additional proposals would also address the misguided state takeover of local school districts that result from the effects of systemic poverty.

Referencing the ODE’s Each Child Our Future, Higgin’s says the document’s three core principles acknowledge the correlation is real. In its review of Ohio’s educational environment, the strategic plan argues:

1. job categories are changing and require new skill sets; 2. the student body has become a more diverse, with nuanced learning needs; and, 3. increased student exposure to poverty and other adverse childhood experiences.

“Numerous studies continue to support the same,” says Higgins. “Moreover, the current letter-grade system as well as state takeover measures do not help educators to address these barriers,” said Higgins.

The Ohio Education Association represents 125,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals in Ohio’s public schools, colleges and universities.